reeve



PATENT OFFICE.

. UNITED STATES- HENRY E. REEVE, O

a new YORK, 1v. Y.

riiEL-aEeULaroa.

To all whom it may concern:

it known that I, HENRY E. Rnnvn, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica and residin at New York in the county oi Kings and tate of New York, have invent-- ed new and useful Improvements in Fuel- Regulators,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to thermostaticcontrol of the gassupply for water heaters.

The object of the invention is to provide a s'ensitive and yetpositiveautomatic control of the gas supply in what are commonly termedautomaticheaters.

My invention embodies in part a thermostatic device which acts inaccordance with the. temperature of the heater to control flov; of fluidunder pressure to a pressure actuated device and which device in turnoperates certain valve mechanism to positively control the flowof gasto.the burner.

A ,s ial feature resides in the utilization of V e gas, as the fluidunder pressure for operating the pressure operated device. Offimportance in this connectioml preferably provide a means torautomatically releasing the pressure upon the pressure actuated devicewhen the flow of actuating fluidthere to has been out 01f. 'Anotherfeature ofsimportance is'the provision of means forcutting ofi flow ofas to the main burner in the eventof the pilot becoming inefiective.Mechanism operated directly from a thermostat for automatirally andpositively cutting ofl. flow of gas to the burner in the event of theheater be.- coming excessivel hot or overheating is also a feature of tis invention.

.Various other features will appear as the specification proceeds.

The accompanying drawings... illustrate the invention in several of itspreferred forms, but-I would have it understood; that various otherchanges and modifications may be madea therein without departing fromthe true scope of the invention.

Figure 1, is a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention,"

parts being broken away.

Fi 2, is a plan view of thelever member which carries the auxiliary .gasvalve and is operated by thethermostat.

Specification of Rei'ssued Letters Patent. Reissued J 22 1920 brlglnal10. 13883, dated September 4, 1917, Serial No. 747.648, filed February11, 1913. Application for reissue filed March 1,

- DIVISION A. a

1920.- Serial No. 362,554.

Fig. 3, is a view similar to Fig. 1, of a somewhat modified form of theinvention.

Fig. 4, is a %l an view of the levermember illustrated in i 3.

Fig. 5, is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line5-'5 of Fig. 3, illustrating the gas-ti ht joint and the pivot mountingfor the lever which operates the main valve.

Fig. 6, is a sectional .view taken on a plane at right angles to that ofFig. 5 and substantially on theline 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7, is a detail perspective view'showing the various parts of thepreferred form I of as valve.

ig. 8, is a similar view of assembled.

Fig. 9, is a horizontal sectional view of the thermostat shown in Fig;3, this view being taken substanti ally'on the line 9- 9 of that figure.f

Fig.-10,'is another sectional view of the same taken substantially onthe line 10-10 of Fig.3, and r Fig. 11, is still another such view takensubstantially on the line 11-11 of Fig. 3.

A portion of the water chamber or reservoir of the' heater is indicatedat 15. 16

these parts as i designates the gas supply pipe or conduit 4 whichsupplies gas to the apparatus, and 17 is the conduit which conveys gasfrom the controlling apparatus to the main burner. The flow of as to themain burner may be controlled dlrectly by a main re ating valve 18 and apressure operated. evicei is preferably utilizedg as the means for posi-I tively operating this valve. The pressure operated device is -hereshown in the form 0% a diaphragm 19 mounted within adiaone end of apivote lever 22 whom opposite end is connected with the valve. Toproplarly re late the rising" and falling movement o iihe diaphragm withthe closing and opening movement of the regulating valve,

ragm chamber 20 and mechanically con- "nected with the v'alveby means ofa post 21 on' the *diaphra which engages with.

these parts, or-the mechamcal' connectlons justable. Such adjustment isin this case provided for by connecting the end of the lever adjustablto the diaphragm st, as

between are preferably made relatively ad by engaging it A ween theadjustab e abutments 23, carried by the post (see Fig. 1). Also theconnection between the diaphragm and valve is preferably made a more orless yielding one to permit a; slight further movement of the diaphragmafter. the valve has been seated, so as to thereby hold the valve allthe more firmly seated. The lever 22 is for this'purpose, shown in Fig.1, as provided with a spring end portion 24 which will yield to permitfurther upward movement of the diaphragm after the valve has beenengaged with its seat 25.

. While the pressure actuated device may be operated by any suitablefluid .under pressure, I prefer to use the gas itself as the medium foroperating the device.. An

. sure actuated device.

auxiliary gas passage 26 is therefore preferably provided leading to theunderside of the diaphragm, and flow ofthe actuating fluid is governedby an auxiliary gas valve 27 arranged to-coiiperate with the seat 28 atthe end of such passage. Means is also provided to permit the escape ofgas from chamber 20, as will be referred to later.

A thermostatic device of some sort is provided for controlling operationof the presn the first figure the thermostatic device is shown asconsisting simplyof a tube 29 extending up into the reservoir and-havingthe rod 30' or like connection secured tothe upper end thereof.

,The tube being made of brass or other material possessing a relativelyhigh co-eflicient of expansion, it will be clear that as the water inthe reservoir becomes heated the tube will, since it is anchored at itslower end at 31, expand upwardly and-lift the connection 30, while uponcooling of the water the tube will contract and lower the connection 30.The so-called auxiliary valve 27 which governs admission of theactuating fluid to the pressure operated device is mounted in anysuitable way and it is here shown as carried on the end of an arm orlever 32 to the opposite end of which lever the thermostat rod isconnected by a metallic tape or ribbon 33. The operating arm 32 ispivoted so as to be capable of the oscillatory movement necessary in theopening and closing of the auxiliary gas valve, and to reduce frictionas much as possible and to eliminate lost motion I prefer to use aspecial form of pivot mounting at this point. This mounting consists ofa roller 34 carrying the valveoperating arm and makin rolling engagementwith a rela- I tively fixe support 35, and a pair of flexible metallictapes or ribbons, which pass in opposite directions each part way aroundthe roller. The ends of these ribbons are fastened either directly orindirectly to the roller, so that the roller may be rotated thereby. Inthe form shown in Fig. 1, the ribbon 33 which comes from the thermostatextends downwardly part way around the roller and is secured in respectto the roller by having its end engaged over a pin 36 on the lever 32and another ribbon 37, passes upwardly at the opposite side of theroller and part way therearound to where it is se-.

cured in respect to the roller by being engaged with the pin 38.

so it will be clear that the anchoring of the ribbons to the lever isthe equivalent of fastening themi direct to the roller. In Fig. 3 theribbons are in fact shown secured to the roller at. points 39 and 40.The second ribbon has its opposite end secured to the roller support, asindicated at 41. When made as in Fig. 1, I have provided guides 42 forholding the ribbons in proper enga ement with the surface of the roller.The roller is in some way held in proper engage= ment with its support35 and provision is made for rotating it in a direction reverse to thatin which it is turned by the thermostat.

with its support and a second spring 44 is illustrated which acts uponthe lever in opposition to the turning movement of the thermostat. Inthe form disclosed in Fig. 3, a single spring 45 performs both thesefunctions, it being, as shown, connected with the lever so as both tolift the lever in opposition to the pull of the thermostat and to drawthe lever over with the roller in engagement with the support. Toprevent side slipping of the roller with respect to' the support theroller may have flanges as indicated at 46 in Figs. 3 and 4 to engageover the sides of the support, or the place of these flanges may betaken, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by making up the lever with two sidebars 47 to fit the opposite sides of the support. The lever shown inFigs. 3 and l also is preferably made up of two side bars 48 to pass onopposite sides of the support, but in this case the side bars do notcontact with the support. Preferably also the valve lever has a more orless flexi-- ble end portion 49 which acts to hold the valve closedunder a certain amount of spring tension.

To secure the proper cooperative action between the thermostat and theauxiliary valve, a certain amount ofadjustment in the relation of thesetwo parts may be necessary. This I provide for preferably by mountingthe support so that it may be shifted to carry the valve on the valvelever 32 toward or away from its seat. Thus in Fig. 1 the support ismade with rounded ends 50 guided in sockets 51, the actual shiftingbeing accomplished by an adjusting nut 52 on the outer threaded end '53of the support. In the form shown in Figs.

.3 and 4- the support has rounded ends guided in sockets as before, butthe shifting The roller and lever are made fixed in respect to eachother.

In Fig. 1, a spring 43 is shown for holding the roller in properengagement start the descent of the dia be permitted to take place inable manner.

liminaZry descending movement of the dia phragm, the valve carryingarmis tempo-' rarily supported so that the diaphragm will means in thisinstance consists of the screws 54 and 55 engaging with the upper andlower ends respectively of the support. The

support may be held against rotative movement inany suitable way, suchfor instance, as by providing it with an'outstanding arm 56 slidinglyengaged over a fixed guide stud 57. I

The operation of the p'ar'ts thus far described will be best understoodby reference to Fig. 1. Normally with the burner in 0 eration, the flowof gasis from the supp y pipe 16 through a passage formed by the gaschamber 58, connection 59 and valve chamber 60, tothe main regulatingvalve and through conduit 17 to theburner. The

thermostat, beingsubj'ected to the heat of the water in the reservoir,expands, thereby pulling upwardly on the ribbon 33 and rotating theroller and its attached lever, until finally at the predeterminedtemperature for which the thermostat has been set, the auxiliary valve27 is carried away from its seat. as under pressure now flows throughthe auxiliary gas passa e to the underside of the diaphragm. Thediaphragm is lifted by thispressure of gas and thereupon acts to rockthe lever 22to close the main regulating valve. Further feed of gas tothe burner'is thuscutofl'. As the hot water is consumed or becomescooled, the thermostat. contracts, thereby releasing its 1 1pward pullon the ribbon 33 and'the spring 44 acting in opposition to this pullthen operates to close the auxiliary valve -27. This condition of theparts is represented'in Fig. 1. Further supply of gas to the undersideof the diaphra is thus cut off and the slight leakage 0 gas causes aslight reduction in the pressure beneath the diaphragm- This reductionin pressure andthe weight of the diaphragm itself tend to cause'thediaphragm to descend; I preferably utilize this shght preliminarydescending movement to operate certain mechanism for accelerating themovement of the parts. This accelerating mechanism is here shown in theform of a relief valve 61 carried on' the diaphragm. and arranged tonormally close a relief opening 62 therein. This valve may be supportedby a lever 63, pivoted at 64 on the i 61. dinary mechanical constructionof the parts affords suliicient leakage past this valve to phragm, butit should be understood that the leakage may At the time of the firstprefall away from the valve and thus open up the relief port 62. Theineans for thus temshi aphragm The escape of v gas from chamber 20 isnormally through .the opening 62' past 'the valve The or-..

any other suit-1 porarily sustainin the valve is'in Fig. 1 a series ofspring fingers 65, which engage frictionally with a knob 66, on the stud67 carried by lever 63. The frictional engagementbetween these partsport the relief v'alve while the diaphragm is slowly settling, and therelief valve being is suflicient to sup-.70

thus held open, the gas beneath the diaphragm is allowed to suddenlyescape. This escape of the gas permits the diaphragm to fall quickly andas it falls, it rocks the valve lever 22 downward and again opens theregulating valve for the main burner. The

small amount of gas released from beneath the diaphragm'may beallowed'to escape to atmosphere or be otherwise through a vent 68. portfor the valve carrying lever the amount of expansionjn the thermostatnecessary to open the auxiliary gas valve and'hencethe temperature atwhich the main burner will disposed of I be cut ofi, may be determinedat will, For

convenience in setting the parts for different (temperatures there may'be provided a scale 69, aid oil in degrees of temperature.

To provide against overheating, the thermostat cut oil? flow of gas uponexcessive-heating.

is preferably made to itselfdirectly.

By adjustingthe sup- This may be conveniently accomplished by mounting acut-off valve 7 0 onthe valve lever 32 to cooperate with a valve seat 71at the point where the gas supply pipe 16 opens into the gas chamber15.' f the heater should become excessively hot, as for instance, byreason of the pressure operated device failing to properly cut off flowto the main burner,'then, the thermostat in expanding still further willturn the lever 32 and carry the valve 70 into engagement with "its seat;thereby'positively cuttmg oflF-vany further flow of gas to the burner.The seat for the auxiliary valve and the seat for the cut-ofi-valve aredisposed substantially opposite to each other, so that the valve levermay vibrate therebetween to carr either one or the other valve to itsseat. he parts are so proportioned and so Ldisposed that' onl uponexcessive heating Wlll the lever be hed far enough to close the cut-offvalve.

As a further safeguard, means arepreferably. provided for shutting ofi'How to the main burner in the event-of the extimguish ment of the pilot.A means for this pur-' se is disclosed in Fig. "1, wherein72 designatesthe pilot for the inain burner,- and 73 a branch conduit for-supplyingit with gas. Associated with this pilot and subect to the heat thereofis a thermostatic device 74, carrying a valve 7 5, which is arranged 'toengage'a seat 76, and serves to control-flow through a conduit 77leading to the pressure operated device. The thermostatic. device, whichmay be of the usual compound construction, is heated by .the 'pilot solong as it is burning and its expanded condition it serves to hold thevalve direct through view and t the bottom is secured at the bottom totubular member 84 for instance of zinc,

7 5 closed. -When however the pilot is extinguished this thermostaticdevice cools off and lifts valve 7 5 from its seat. Aflow of gas is nowopened up from branch conduit. 7 3through the pilot .casing 78, past thenow open valve 75 and conduit 77 to the pressure actuated device whichoperates in the manner previously described to shut off flowto the mainburner.

, In Figs. 3 and 4 the apparatus is materially simplified by leavingoutthe pilot con.- trol of the main burner and the overheatingprotectivedevice. In this case the gas simply flows fromthe supply conduit 16 thevalve chamber 60 to the conduit 17 leading. to the burner and the .gasfor operatlng the diaphragm 1s taken off from the supply conduit througha branch conduit 79 which extends to the gas chamber 58 within which islocated the auxiliary valve which controls flow to the diaphragm. Thethermostat illustrated in this in detail in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 isextremely sensitive to change in temperature It is made substantially asfollows A tube 80 for instance of brass, open at a wall of the waterreservoir. The upper end of this tube is closed by -a plug 81 to whichis secured the upper end of a rod 82 for instance of steel. The lower.end of this rod carries a sleeve 83. A tubular or semiis secured to thesleeve 83 at its lower end, and at its upper.

i 85. This sleeve 85 is not attached to the' tube .80 and has a freepassage for the rod 82. The rod 86 for instance'of steel, is secured tothe sleeve 85 and passes freely through the sleeve 83 at the bottom. Thezinc tube 84 has a high co-efiicient of expansion and being in ,contactwith the inner wall of the b'rasstube receives by conduction through thetube, the heat of the water in the water container. As the tem eratur'eof'the' water rises, the tube 80 is e ongated and carries with it therod 82 and sleeve 83 and zinc tube 84 and the latter in turn is itselfelongated giving. an

\ additional pulling movement to the sleeve 85 and the rod 86.-

55 I principal part of their ranges The rod 82 and rod 86 are preferablyof relatively non-expansible material and'it will'also be noted thatthey are so spaced apart througfhout. the

rom

tubes that they are but I changes of temperature and therefore .but.little, if any, detract from the efiective movement of the brassandzinc tubes. The rod 86 may be connected to the tape 33 which operatesthe rollerby means of asuitable coupling 87 To insure the valves alwaysseating properly they are preferably each menu end carries a secondsleeve the little afiected by a universal joint so that they mayautomatically adjust themselves to their respective seats. T hepreferred form of such joint is illustrated in detail in Figs. 7 and 8.In these views the main regulating valve 18 is shown provided with apartially spherical recess 88, .on the back thereof into which fits acorrespondingly spherical head 89 on the bearing member. 90. Thisbearing member is suitably attached to the element 7 which supports thevalve which in the case described is the valve operating lever 22. The..usual method of attachment is to pass the stem 91 of the bearingmember into an opening in the supporting member and rivet it therein asindicated at 92, Fig. 1. The head of the bearing member is by suitablemeans-held in engagement with the spherical recess in the back of thevalve-such means being illustrated as a coil spring 93 having one of itsarms 94 secured in the body of the valve and its other arm 95 en gagingthe bearing member as by passing freely through an opening 96 therein.The valve plate is thus su ported so that it may move freely in alldirections to a limited extent, as a result of which it will adjustitself automatically to always make firm engagement with its valve seat.All of the I valves are preferably mounted in this same way. firm andsecure seating of the valves is further facilitated by making the valveseat in the form of an upstanding annular ridge 97 as shown in the caseof the auxiliary valve 27 in Fig. 1. The same form of universal mountingwhich is used for -'the valves may also be employed in connect'ng thestud of the temporary supporting device to the lever which carries thepressure releasing valve of the diaphragm. Thus as shown in Figi 1 thestud may be made with a rounded ead 98 for engagement with asphericalrecess 99 in the valve carrying lever' 63. The stud thus formsa bearing member similar in function to the bearing member of thevalves, and therounded head of this member may be held inengagement withthe recess by a spring 93, the same as in the case of the valves.

To prevent leakage at the joint where the valve operating lever 22passes into the valve chamber60 of the main regulating valve, I havedevised a special form of gas tight joint, shown in detail in Figs. 5and 6 and consisting in substance of a flexible diaphragm connectedbetween the lever and the wall through which the lever passes. Thisdiaphragm is preferably made up of two thin metallic disks 100 and 1 01intercom nected at their edges and connected at their central portions.to the lever and the supporting wall respectively The disk 100 is oinedto the lever pre erably by securing 1t to a bushing 102 fast on thelever and the" disk 101 is preferably connectedto a bushing 103 mountedin the supporting w'all.

The opening 104 throu h which the lever passes is, it will be note of asize suflicient to permit free movement of the-lever. The lever is inthis way pivotallysupported in a manner which is substantiallyfrictionless.- To prevent sidewise movement of the lever and to limitits pivoting movement to a single plane-that is to a straight up anddown rocking movement, I preferably provide uiding means in the form ofa hori- 'zonta ly disposed yoke 105 engaged at its center with the leverand having pivots 106 at its opposite ends engaged in suitable'bearings107. This yoke may, as shown, be connected to or form a part of thebushing, 102. The pivots of the yoke are preferably dis posed in thesame plane with the-diaphragm soas to substantially coincide with theline] of flexure of the diaphragm, the yoke being for this purposeoff-set as indicated at 108 to bring the pivots into this plane.

A slight variation in the manner of temporarily supporting and openingthe pressure releasing diaphragm valve is indicated in Figs. 3 and 4.Inthis case the relation of the parts is reversed, the spring fingers109 being connected'to the valve and the catch member 110 for engagementwith these fingers being supported apart from the valve. Such supportisshown as an adjustable sleeve 111. In this case the valvecarrying lever63 is dispensed with, the pressure releasing valve, here designated 112,being simply provided with a spindle 113 guided in a yoke 114 andcarrying thespring fingers on its upper end. In this form when flow tothe diaphragm is shut off and thediaphragm begins to descend it movesaway from the diaphra m valve 112 which is frictionally held by t espring fing ers 109 engaging the catch member 110.

movement of the main regulating valve is,

his opens-the reliefl port and allows a guick escape of the gas frombeneath the iaphragm so that its movement and the accelerated. As thediaphragm carries the yoke 114 downward with it, the yoke. engages thediaphragm valve and pulls it and the spring fingers downward away fromen- 'gagement' with the catch member so that the valve 112 again closesthe relief port. Sincethe normal pressure of gas is only slightly aboveatmospheric pressure, theweight of the valve 112 and attached parts issufiicient to keep it closed normally.

Suitable means may be provided for manually cutting off the flow of gasto the ap-. paratus. Such means is here illustrated in .the form of thehand valve 115.

The thermostatic device of Fig. 3 and the mechanism for transmitting the'efi'ect of thethermostatic element to the valve 27 is claimed in myconcurrent reissue application No. 362,555. I

I claim: Y 1. -I1 1 a water heater, a reservoir, a main gas burner forheating the same, pressure actuated -means controllingv said mainburner, thermostatic means sub'ected to-the heat of the reservoir forcontro ing flow of gas to the mainburner, a pilot for the main burnerandthermostatic means subjected to the heat of the pilot for controllingflow of actuatin fluid, to the premure actuated! means w ich controlsthe main-burner.

2. In a heater regulating system, the combination with the reservoir anda suitable gas burner for heating the same, of a main gas regulatingvalve, a gas operated dia-,'

phragm, a mechanical connection between said diaphragm and said valve,-avalve in I said diaphragm, a gas supply passage leading to the oppositeside of said diaphragm, an auxiliary gas valve for said passage andheatcontrolled means for operating said auxiliary as valveQ 3. In a eaterregulating system, a reservoir and. a suitablegas burner for heating thesame, means controlling. flow of gas to trolling the burnercontrollingmeans and arranged when actuated by fluid under pressure tocut off flow of gas to the burner, a

the burner, a pressure operated device co'nthermostatic devicecontrolling flow of fluid under pressure to the pressure operated deviceand arranged in one position to cut, ofi

flow of actuating-fluid to said device and means adapted to release thepressure u on the pressure operated device when the ow of actuatingfluid thereto is thus cut off.

4. In a gas regulating device, a main gas" valve, a dlaphragmmechanically connected with said valve and having a gasfpassa e therein,a valve for said passage at one si e.

of said diaphragm and carried by said diaphragm and a heat operatedauxiliary valve for controlling the flow of gas to the opposite side ofsaid diaphragm.

- 5. In a gas regulating device, a main gas ivalv'e, a diaphragmmechanically connected with said valve and having a gas passage therein,a valve for said passage carried b said diaphragm, a heat y operatedauxiliary valve for controllin the flow offgas to 1 said diaphragm andmeans for engaging said diaphragm valve to hold it and permit tanceindependently. of'such valve. 7

6. In a gasregulating device, a main gas valve, a diaphragm mechanicallyconnected -said diaphragm to descend a certain diswith said valve andhavlng agas passage therein, a .valve'for said passage carried by saiddiaphragm, a heat operated auxiliary valve for controlling-the flow ofgas to said said diaphragm, means forengagi diaphragm valve to hold itand'permltsaid diaphragm to descend a certain distance independently ofsuch valve and means for disengaging said diaphragm valve in the latterpart of the downward movement of the diaphragm.

7. In a water heater, a reservoir, a main gas burner for heating thesame, gas actuated means controlling said main burner, thermostaticmeans subjected to the temperature of the water in the reservoir for Apilot for said asburner and thermostatic means subjected to the heat ofthe pilot for controlling flow of gas to the gas actuated means whichcontrols said gas burner.

9. The combination of a water storage reservoir, a main heating burner,a pilot burner, a main valve controllingthe flow of fuel .to the mainburner, a gas pressure operated device for operating said valve, meansfor operating said gas pressure device when the pilot burner becomesineffective including a thermostatic device controlled by said pilotburner, a thermostatic device controlled by the temperature of water insaid reservoir and means controlled thereby for operating said gaspressure op erated device. t

10. The combination of. a water storage reservoir, a main burner,ra.pilot burner, a

valve controlling the flow of fuel to the main burner, a fluid pressureoperated diaphragm for moving said valve, a thermostatic deviceinfluenced by the temperature of water in said. reservoir, meanscontrolled thereby for operating said diaphragm, a

thermostatic device responding to the heat from said pilot burner andmeans controlled thereb for operating said diaphragm..

11. he combination of a water storage reservoir, a burner, a, pilot, amain valve controlling the'flow of fuel to the burner, a fluid pressureoperated diaphragm for moving said valve, a thermostatic deviceinfluenced by the temperature of water in said reservoir, meanscontrolled thereby for' operating said diaphragm, a thermostatic deviceresponding to the heat from said pilot, means controlled thereby foroperating said diaphragm, and means controlled f 1 from mainthermostatic device for discontinuing the supply of gas to the burner incase of the development of excessive temperature in the reservoir.

12. In combination, a water storage reservoir, a gas'burner for heatingthe water in the reservoir, a conduit for supplying gas to said burner,a main valve therefor operated by gas pressure, a main thermostaticdevice having one end in said water storage reservoir, a housing for theother end ofsaid device, a valve seat in said housing having a passage,an auxiliary valve connected to said thermostatic device for coactingwith said seat to open and close the passage therethrough and therebyopen said main gas valve when the water gets cold and close it when thewater gets hot, a pilot, a thermostatic'device afi'ected byssaid pilot,and means controlled by said pilot thermostatic device for closing themain gas valve when the pilot becomes ineffective. 13, Ina heaterregulating system, a water reservoir and a suitable main gas burner forheating the same, means controlling-flow of gas to the main burner, apressure actuated device for operating said controlling means,

a pilot for the main burner and means adapted upon extinguishment of thepilot to admit fluid under pressure to the pressure actuateddevicewhereby to cause said device to operate the 'controlling means to cut011 fiow of gas to the main burner.

14. In a heater regulating system, a water reservoir and a suitable maingasburner forheating the same, means controlling flow of gas to the mainburner, a pressure actuated device for operating the controllin meansarranged upon admission of flui under ,pressure thereto to operate thecontrolling a means to cut oil flow of gas to the main burner, athermostatic device heated by the reservoir, means operated by thethermostatic device when heated to admit fluid under pressure to thepressure actuated device, a pilot for the' main burner and athermostatic device heated by the pilot, adapted upon extinguishment ofthe pilot to admit fluid under pressure to the pressure actuated device.p

15. In a heater regulating system, a water reservoir and a suitable mainburner for heating the same, a main regulating valve controlling flow ofgas to the burner, a

diaphragm operatively connected to the ma 1n valve, an auxiliary valvecontrolling flow of gas to the diaphragm for operatingthe same, athermostatic device subjected to the heat of the reservoir, connectedwith the auxiliary valve and adapted on a rise in temperature to openthe auxiliary valve to admit gas to the diaphragm, a' pilot' for' themain burner, a gas passage leading to the diaphragm and a thermostaticdevice subjectedto the heat of the pilot, adapted'wh en v heated therebyto cut off flow through such.

passage and whencooled'toopen up ,flow through saidpassage.

16. In a device of the-characte'nsetviorth,

the combination with a Suitable gas burner of a main regulating valvecontrolling said said pressure operated device, a main burn'er, a gaspressure operated device connected with said valve for operating thesame; an auxiliary gas passage leading to as passage leading to the mainregulati ng valve, a thermostatic device and valve mechanism controlledby the thermostatic. device for governing flow through the auxiliary gaspassage and main gas passage.

17,. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a gasburner, a main regulating valve controlling said burner, a

gas pressure operated device connected'with said valve for operating thesame, an auxiliary gas passage for supplying gas under pressure to thepressure operated device, a main gas passage leading to the mainregulating valve, valve mechanism controllin flow through the auxiliarygas passage an through the main gas passage, and a thermostatic deviceconnected with the said I valve mechanism adapted under the influence ofheat to, first open up flow through the auxiliary gas passage andthereafter to decrease flow through the main gas passage. 18. In adevice ofthe characterset forth, the combination of" afgas burner, amain regulating valve controlling. said .burner, a gas pressure operateddevice connected with I the regulating valve for controlling the same, agas chamber, a gas supply conduit opening into said chamber, anauxiliary gas passage extending from the interior of said chamber to thepressure operated device and disposed substantially opposite to the.opening'of the supply conduit thereinto,'a lever-pivoted'inthegascharnber, oppo-' 1 sitely seating valves mounted on oneend of thesaid lever and arranged to control the main and auxiliary gas passagesrespectively and a thermostatic deviceconnected with the opposite end ofthe lever for operating the same.

19. In combination, a water storage reservoir, a gas burner for heatingthe water therein, a conduit for supplying gas to said burner, a mainvalve therefor; operated in one direction by as pressure, a mainthermostatic device aving one end in said water storage reservoir, ahousing for the 1 other end ofsai'd device, a valve seat in-said housinghaving a passage, a valve connected to said thermostatic 'device forcoacting with said seat to open and close the passage there through andthereby open said" main gas, valve when the'water gets cold and close itwhen the water gets hot, a .pilot,fa thermostatic device affected bysaid pilot, means controlled bysaid pilot thermostatic device 3 forclosing the main gas valve when the pilot becomes ineffective, .andmeans con trolledbyrne of the thermostatic dev1ces-fo1' discontinuingthe supply-of gas to said gas.

burner in caseof excessive temperature development.

20. Ina device of the character set forth,

thecombination with a suitable burner, of a mam regulating valvetherefor, a pressure operated device connected with the main regulatingvalve for operating the same, a

thermostatic device, means operated by said thermostatic device tocontrol flow of fluid under pressure to the pressure operated device,whereby to control the burner through the medium of the pressureoperated device and means operated by the thermostatic device adaptedunder excessive "heat conditions to cut olf flow ofgas to the burner,whereby the'thermostatic device will upon excessive heating act directlyto reduce flow of gas to the burner independently of the controlexercised by the pressure operated de-- vice.

21. In a.device of the character set forth havinga chamber, a diaphragmforming a wall thereof and provided with a valve pas-* sage, a valvecarried by the diaphragm and, controlling said passage, means forcontrolling the admission of fluid under pressure to the diaphragmchamber, wherebyto cause movement of the diaphragm in due 'direction,spring fingers. engaging the valve to temporarily hold the same while,thedia-.- phragm is moving in. the oppositedirection ,anobmea'nsoperated by said diaphragm.

l 22. In a device of the character set forth having a chamber, thecombination of a diaphragm forming a wall thereof and provided with avalve passage, a lever pivoted on the diaphragm, a valve carried by saidlever and controlling the passage-in the diaphragmfmeans for controllingthe admission of fluid under pressure to the diaphragm chamber to .causemovement of the diaphragm in one direction, spring fingers v I arrangedto temporarily hold thev lever tion and means operated by said diaphra23; In' a deviceof the character descri ed having a chamber, thecombination of a diaphragm forming a wall thereof, means for controllingthe admission of fluid under pressure to said diaphragmchamber, meansoperable bysaid diaphragm, a valve for con- .whereby to hold the valveopen when the diaphragm is moving in the opposite direc-- trolling theflow of gas from one side of the diaphragm to the other and me ans foropening the. valve when the diaphragm starts to collapse, said meansincluding a plurality of springfingers for retardingmovement ofsaidvalve. p V

24. In a device of the character described having a chamber, thecombination of a diayphragm forming a wall'thereof, means forcontrolling theadmission of fluid-: under pressure to said diaphragmchamber, means operableaby said diaphragm, a valve for irontrollingpassage of, gas from one si defo f-the -when the diaphragm starts tocollap'se', said means including a spherically surfaced member and aplurality of spring fingers for engaging the same.

25. In a device of the character described having a chamber, thecombination of a diaphragm forming a wall thereof, means for controllingthe admission of fluid under pressure to said diaphragm .chamber,meansoperable by said diaphragm, a valve controlling the passage of gas fromone side of said diaphragm to the other, and means for automaticallyopening the valve when the diaphragm begins to collapse.

26-. In a water heater, a main burner, a main regulating valvecontrolling the flow of gas to the main burner, a diaphragm operativelyconnected to said valve, an auxiliary valve controlling the flow of gasto the diaphragm, a thermostatsubje'cted to the latter valve to hold itand permit the diaheat of the water and operativel connected with theauxiliary valve, a pilot or the main burner having a gas passage leadingto said diaphragm and a thermostatic device controlled by the operationof the pilot for controllin the flow of gas through said passage to saiddiaphragm for operating the diaphragm to shut off the main'valve uponextinguishment of the pilot.

27. 'In an apparatus of the character described having a chamber, thecombination of a main gas valve, a diaphragm forming a wall of thechamber and mechanically connected to said valve for operating the same,

.a valve controlling the flow of gas from one side of the diaphragm tothe other, said .latter valve being operated by the movement of saiddiaphragm, means for engaging said phragm to collapse a certain amountindependently of the valve and a heat operated auxiliary valve forcontrolling the flow of gas, to said diaphragm.

Q8. The combination in a water heater of a main gas regulating valve, adiaphragm operatively connected to said valve and opl erated by gaspressure,a valve operated by the movement of the diaphragm forcontrolling the flow of gas from one side of the diaphragm to the other,an auxiliary valve controlling the flow; of gas to the pressure side ofsaid diaphragm and a heat operated device for operating said auxiliaryvalve.

29. In a water heater, a reservoir, a-gas supply pipe leading to aburner for heating the water in said reservoir, a main valveforcontrolling the flow; of gas to said sup ply pipe to said burner, a.gas pressure oper- "ated' diaphragm connected to said main valve, a mainthermostatic device responding to the changes in temperature of thewater in said reservoir, means controlled thereby for controlling thepressure of gas on said diaphragm,

vice responding to the temperature of. the pilot, and means controlled bsaid pilot thermostatic device for controlling the pressure of gas onsaid diaphragm.

pilot, a pilot thermostatic dey 30. In a Water heater, a reservoir, amain as valve a as ressure o erated device for valve, a gas operateddevice for moving said valve including a diaphragm having a passage ,forthe movement of gas at all times, a pilot burner, .two valves formodifying the gas pressure on said device, two thermostatic devices foroperating said two valvesrespectively, one responding to the-temperaturein said reservoir and the other responding to the heat of the pilotburner.

32. Ina heater, a reservoir, a main gas valve, a gas operated device formoving said valve including a diaphragm having a passage for themovement of gas at all times, a

valve for partially closing said passage, a pilot burner, two valves formodifying the gas pressure on'said device, and two thenmostatic devicesfor operating said two valves respectively, one responding to thetemperature in said reservoir and the other responding to the heat ofthe pilot burner.

33. In a water heater, a main gas valve, a cut off valve, a thermostaticdevice for closing the cut off valve when the temperature of the heaterexceeds a certain limit, gas pressure operated means controlledby thethermostatic device for opening and closing the main gas valve, a pilotburner, and means responding to the heat of the pilot burner 'foroperating the means for opening and closing the main gas valve.

34. A reservoir, a gas burner for heating the same, a gas pressureactuated means including a diaphragm controlling said gas burner andprovided with means for permitting a leakage, a thermostatic meanssubjected to the temperature of the reservoir for cgntrolling. the flowof gas to ,said burner, a pilot for said burner and a thermostatsubjected to the heat of the pilot for controlling the flow of gas tothe pressure actuated means which controls said burner. 35. A waterstorage reservoir, a gas burner for heating same,-a main gas valve forcontrolling flowof gas to said burner, a

casing, a diaphragm therein connected to said mainvalve, a thermostat inthe resera thermostat affected thereby for controlling the pressure ofgas on said diaphragm.

36. The combination in 'a storage water heater system of a reservoir forthe water, a gas burner for heating the same, means for cutting off theflow of gas to said burner including a vertically movable main valve'movable by gravity in one direction and by gas pressure in the oppositedirection, a,

horizontally disposed seat therefor, means responsive to the changes intemperature of the water in .said reservoir for controlling the actionof said gas operated means in one direction, a pilot for lighting thesaid burner and means responsive to the pilot for causing the said gasoperated means to close said main valve when said pilot becomesinefi'ective. I a

37. In a heatingdevice, a main gas burner for heating water in areservoir, a valve controlling the flow of gas to the main burner, adevice actuated by gas pressure for. operating said valve, a thermostatactuated by heat of the water in said reservoir, a

valve actuated by said thermostat to open and close and by so acting tothereby control the gas pressure actuated device for o crating said mainvalve, a pilot for the mam burner, a thermostat actuated by the heat ofthe pilot, a valve actuated by said pilot actuated thermostat to openand close and by so acting to thereby control the gas pressure actuateddevice for operatlng said main valve.

. HENRY E. REEVE.

